Synthesis and characterization of metal-containing poly(siloxane-urethane) crosslinked structures derived from siloxane diols and ferrocene diisocyanate

Abstract

Three new poly(siloxane-urethane) crosslinked structures (PSFUs) were prepared from 1,1′-diisocyanatoferrocene (Fc(NCO)₂), and two siloxane diols in different proportions, i.e. α,ω-bis(hydroxybutyl)oligodimethylsiloxane (HS-1) and a hybrid diol containing hydrolysable triethoxy (–Si(–O–Et)₃) groups (HS-2). The formation of the urethane groups along the polymer backbone was first confirmed by the presence of the specific bands in FTIR spectra. The resulting materials were characterized using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), dielectric spectroscopy (DE) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Cyclic voltammograms of the compounds showed quasi-reversible oxidation–reduction waves making them suitable for sensing applications.